Those Classmates who Suddenly Disappeared
Chapter 976: Fair Martial Arts Competition

Chapter 976: Chapter 976: Fair Martial Arts Competition

"What should I do? What should I do?" Gu Fan racked his brain for a strategy, then glanced at his opponent who was wiping his axe beside him, still looking unperturbed. Gu Fan knew he was in deep trouble.

Could it be that just as his plan against the Xuan Sword Sect and the Zhuang family was beginning, he would fall in this very competition?

Mo Yun looked at Gu Fan with pity, "Kid, you’ve chosen this path yourself, even if you’re beaten black and blue, you must go on. Go, face it with courage."

"Thank you for your encouragement!" Gu Fan took a deep breath, then stepped onto the stage, and looked up to the sky, sighing deeply, "Oh heavens, are you helping me or not? If you are, give me a sign, please."

The people below the stage were baffled, "Hey kid, better focus on the fight and don’t count on heaven’s help, this is a fair and open martial arts competition."

Just at that moment, suddenly the sky darkened as a massive cloud, heavy like a towering mountain, rolled in, changing the color of the wind and cloud, accompanied by frightening thunder.

It looks like it’s going to rain; let’s get the competition over with so we can go home for dinner.

Urged by the crowd, Iron Hacksaw of the Open Mountain Axe stepped onto the stage, tall and burly with thick arms and intimidating tiger-like eyes, as if he was ready to cleave Gu Fan in two upon arrival.

"I’m sorry, Gu Fan, your last match made me lose quite a bit," Iron Hacksaw said with a vengeful expression, gripping his weapon tightly again.

Upon hearing this remark, the crowd was invigorated, "Go Iron Hacksaw, that kid has cost us a lot too. Please vent our anger, do your best."

Gu Fan was not pleased, "What are you talking about? You chose to place your bets, I didn’t force you. Who’s to blame if you lost? Also, I didn’t bet on myself, I didn’t win any money. Did I complain?"

Iron Hacksaw nodded, "Right, I really can’t blame you, so in order to make up for the loss, I bet on myself winning this match. I hope you understand I will go all out to take you down."

"I suppose I can understand your desire to recoup your losses, but why do I have to be so unfortunate?" As soon as Gu Fan finished speaking, the audience grew impatient, "Why all the chatter? Hurry up and start, can’t you see it’s about to rain?"

"Alright, I’ll defeat this kid right now." Iron Hacksaw, filled with ferocity, raised his great axe and charged forward, bellowing loudly with overwhelming momentum.

Gu Fan tensed up, knowing he was outmatched, but had no choice but to go on.

Here it came, as Iron Hacksaw brought down his axe, Gu Fan quickly dodged, and the blade narrowly missed him.

But one might evade the first strike, yet not the fifteenth; Iron Hacksaw snorted coldly and his flying kick struck Gu Fan, sending him flying off the stage.

After Gu Fan crashed to the ground, he rolled about, nearly falling off the stage, which disappointed the spectators and made Mo Yun sigh, wondering why Gu Fan, who hadn’t done much, was so disliked.

The martial arts competition continued, and under the ferocious assault of Iron Hacksaw, Gu Fan had no chance to fight back, only to retreat step by step, dodging and withdrawing. At times, with no way to avoid, Gu Fan could only raise his arm to use Vajra Body Protection to block Iron Hacksaw’s axe.

"What amazing skill, impenetrable to blade and spear." Iron Hacksaw was greatly amazed. That blow had been his full strength; he could have split a bull in two, yet it was blocked uninjured by Gu Fan’s arm, leaving not even a mark.

Even though Gu Fan was uninjured, his arm still throbbed in pain and he had underestimated Iron Hacksaw—his opponent’s skills were not limited to the axe.

Underneath the foot of Kaishan Axe Tie Heng, a kick-off burst forth—a savage charge that collided directly with Gu Fan’s body.

Gu Fan’s reaction was swift; he tightly grabbed Kaishan Axe Tie Heng’s clothes, and while being sent flying, he used the momentum to pull Kaishan Axe Tie Heng off balance and, taking advantage, flipped him over.

Seizing the rare opportunity, Gu Fan immediately caught hold of Kaishan Axe Tie Heng’s arm, attempting a Cross Lock to restrain his opponent.

"Kid, that’s another weird move." Kaishan Axe Tie Heng, a First-rate Expert whose power was far superior to Gu Fan’s, exerted force in his arm, twisting it back forcefully and breaking free with brute strength.

Realizing it was futile, Gu Fan could only let go, then rolled to the side, trying to create a safe distance. However, when Gu Fan stood up to observe his opponent’s actions, he was horrified to find his adversary already in front of him.

Relying on experience and reflexes, Gu Fan immediately sank low, which helped him avoid being punched and sent flying.

Kaishan Axe Tie Heng snorted coldly and swept his foot towards Gu Fan, and this time Gu Fan couldn’t avoid it, getting kicked and sent flying away.

"Oh my, that hurts." Gu Fan clutched the hit area, his face contorting with severe pain; the attack of a First-rate Expert was truly unbearable.

At this moment, everyone watching below could see that Gu Fan was no match for Kaishan Axe Tie Heng. This Martial Arts Competition seemed to have no suspense left, and even Mo Yun was ready to rush up and heal Gu Fan at a moment’s notice.

The Female Sword Immortal by the side raised her head to look at the sky, feeling unsettled by the oppressive trend of the thick clouds overhead, her heartbeat conveying a sense of unease.

On the stage, Gu Fan struggled to his feet, but with a stagger at every step, he appeared to be at the end of his tether, while Kaishan Axe Tie Heng still seemed relaxed as if he hadn’t exerted his full strength yet.

At that moment, Gu Fan also looked up at the sky, at the sudden flashes of lightning, and took a deep breath, knowing it was time to stake everything.

"Boy, not going to concede?" Kaishan Axe Tie Heng issued a final warning.

Gu Fan shook his head, "Hit me with your strongest strike, let me have a taste of it."

"Fine, I’ll grant your wish!" Kaishan Axe Tie Heng laughed, really raising his axe high, preparing to bring it down on Gu Fan with all his might.

Gu Fan picked the right moment and acted first, grabbing his opponent’s arm and axe before the blow could land, holding the axe aloft and unable to descend.

"Kid, you’ve still got some strength left." Kaishan Axe Tie Heng had thought Gu Fan was exhausted, so he’d let his guard down and given Gu Fan a chance to resist.

Gu Fan smiled faintly, "Sorry, humans must never give up. It’s important to struggle a bit, and besides, I don’t think I’ll lose."

However, clear-eyed watchers shook their heads and sighed; they admired Gu Fan’s will but felt it was futile—the gap in strength between the two was too vast.

Just when everyone thought Gu Fan was merely delaying the inevitable, only the Female Sword Immortal was nervous. She glanced back and forth between Gu Fan and Kaishan Axe Tie Heng, who were locked in a stalemate with the axe held in midair, then again at the faint lightning in the sky.

"No way, are you really going to?" The Female Sword Immortal seemed to know what Gu Fan intended to do. It was a risky gamble, but also the most likely method to win.